Saturday, July 11, 2009

In the jowls of the tale. Or tail.

It's inspiring in a way, watching writers write. I don't mean sitting by them and staring as they clickety pickety tuck tuck tuck, back space, delete, delete... But watching their angst, and effort as they squeeze into their characters' heads and souls. All of my kids are writers and artists and each struggles mightily like Homer Simpson as he wrestled with an object yelling, "Why won't you be art?"

This sketch shows son, Ben getting into character. There be coffee of course. But what you don't see are the dog buscuits he just scarfed, or his teeth marks on the coffee table. And the fire hydrant...I don't even want to go there. But Ben holds his cards close, so I am always blown away when I finally get a peek at what he has been up to.

I don't want to jinx him, but the novel he is working on is somewhere between Hemingway and the Hardy Boys, William Carlos Williams and Martha Stewart's jail journal. The Desert Fathers and those little Hubba Bubba comic wrappers. You rock Ben.

Me too Jolie, but you need to know that around here there is often a faint sound of drumming? Like "duddla,duddla,duddla..." And when you find the source, it turns out to be our whole fam, thrumming their finnies, eagerly awaiting YOUR novel (or picture book). You have been such an encouragement and gift to us all, which is great, but we want to read Jolie's fab book. "have you read the Jolie novel, you fool?" "Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I have. I have a signed copy right here!" "Well, what did you tnink, are you smitten, or what?" "Are you kidding?, Smitten?, I have practically turned to marmalade. In fact I Fed-Xed a copy to Her Majesty. And one to Michelle. And Oprah, which wasn't really necessary, since I think Jolie is on her show next week...

Yes, Shelly, William and Martha are on board. Thanks for being you and fanning our blog flames.We very much enjoy your blog as well, although I steer clear of General Dismay. As for Private Agenda, he is always in good company with himself. Although, Major Sarcasm is cool, and we are pretty tight, yeah right.

right on. i love that he is a Ben in a wolf's costume. Kinda fitting, I'd say. He is one big old toothy-grinned, giant-hearted genius, to be sure! If he could just stop blogging for half a second he could get some chapters done... ;)

this is lovely. A proud dad extolling the genius of his son. I have to say tho, that i don't tink its just you being proud. From what i've read of his blog, i'm sure his book will be great. Can't wait to read it.

About Me

I am the servant of my cats. Also an artist, author, and illustrator. I can almost fly around at will. Actually, when I folk dance I do fly. My first picture book for children was published in 1986, and I have been making books ever since. Somehow I married one of the world's greatest treasures. My world is filled with kids, grandkids, dogs, cats, rabbits, robots, dinosaurs, and fairies. Really. I believe with all my heart that we can make a difference in this world. It starts with giving, forgiving, and living out love. You know, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Making art can be a part of making a better world. Dostoevsky said, "The world will be saved by beauty."